OU hosts 2026 Healthology Symposium: Healthy Engagement for All People

Annually, through its Healthology Symposium, Oakland University’s School of Health Sciences (SHS) invites the community to join in interactive and engaging discussions with health professionals, students and researchers. The 2026 Symposium, held on Wednesday, March 11, from 1-8 p.m., entitled “Healthy Engagement for All People,” focuses on improving knowledge translation for health transformation.

“In all of humanity, there has never been a better time to have health information literally at our fingertips,” said Dr. Kevin Ball, Dean of the School of Health Sciences. “And yet, with this ever-increasing complexity, there appears also to be an ever-widening gulf between truly meaningful information and the ability of the public to understand it. Trust needs to be restored, and the way to do this is to share conversation and common goals between health professionals and community members.”

This year’s event features sessions with lightning talks and interactive discussions organized around four key themes: In Every Location — serving all demographics in rural, urban and suburban communities; Connecting to Community — promoting social connection and physical/mental well-being; Through Health Innovation — learning about assistive devices, artificial intelligence and telehealth; and Across the Lifespan — encouraging best practices in youth, adulthood and healthy aging. Following these sessions, the event features a Celebration of Scholars, highlighting innovative research and community-engaged work from across SHS, OU and beyond. Together, these sessions explore mobilization of evidence-based knowledge to improve health outcomes in clinical settings, communities, workplaces and homes.

Dr. Partha Nandi

True to Healthology’s developing themes of the day, this year’s keynote speaker is Partha Nandi, M.D., creator and host of the internationally syndicated medical lifestyle television show, “The Dr. Nandi Show.” Dr. Nandi serves as Chief Health Editor at WXYZ ABC Detroit and is a practicing physician, New York Times best-selling author and internationally recognized speaker. His appearances have included TEDx events, college commencements, charitable initiatives, premier medical meetings and leading organizations. He meets with global health leaders to advocate for improved health care quality, access and patient empowerment. Central to his work is his mission, “To Be Your Own Health Hero,” which encourages individuals to take charge of their health through knowledge and informed action.

Dr. Nandi’s address will underscore the symposium’s emphasis on knowledge translation — demonstrating how research, innovation and effective communication can transform individual and community health.

The Healthology Symposium is made possible in part through the generous support of presenting sponsor McLaren Health Care.

Additional support has been provided by keynote speaker sponsor Corewell Health.

Other generous supporters include DirectRx, Easterseals MORC, McGraw Catalpa, the McGruder Family, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, MedNetOne Health Solutions, Priority Health, Kevin A. Ball and Margaret J. Afheldt, M Dunbar Safety Consulting LLC, and Strategies for Well-Being, LLC.

The Healthology Symposium reflects the School of Health Sciences’ continued focus on collaboration, community partnership and real-world impact.

“Now in our ninth year of Healthology, it’s wonderful to see the tremendous growth of the event and how many people continue to join the endeavor,” said Dr. Ball. “Healthology is a very unique experience and overall a great opportunity for the public to join in discussions with health leaders and practitioners, higher education professionals, researchers and students, as we strive for health transformation for all people — in purpose for health.”

Additional details, including registration information and the full event schedule, are available on the Healthology website.